Surgical stapling device with reload assembly removal lockout

ABSTRACT

A stapling device includes an adapter assembly and a reload assembly that includes a reload release mechanism that is movable from a locked position in which the reload assembly is locked onto the adapter assembly to an unlocked position in which the reload assembly can be removed from the adapter assembly. The adapter assembly of the stapling device includes a lockout that prevents movement of the reload release mechanism to the unlocked position unless the stapling device is in a non-articulated, unfired position.

FIELD

This technology is generally related to surgical stapling devices and,more particularly, to surgical stapling devices that include replaceablereload assemblies.

BACKGROUND

Surgical stapling devices for simultaneously cutting and stapling tissueare known in the art and are commonly used during surgical procedures toreduce the time required to suture tissue. Such devices are available inendoscopic and open configurations. Endoscopic surgical stapling devicesreduce trauma inflicted on a patient during a surgical procedure tominimize patient discomfort and reduce patient recovery times.

Endoscopic surgical stapling devices include an adapter assembly thatsupports a tool assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. Typically, thetool assembly is coupled to a distal portion of the adapter assembly bya pivot member to facilitate articulation of the tool assembly about anaxis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the adapter assembly.Articulation of the tool assembly improves access to tissue within abody cavity during a surgical procedure.

Some surgical stapling devices include a tool assembly that forms partof a replaceable reload assembly that is releasably coupled to theadapter assembly. During a surgical procedure, a spent reload assemblycan be removed and replaced on the surgical stapling device tofacilitate reuse of the surgical stapling device. Typically, the reloadassembly is coupled to the adapter assembly with a bayonet typecoupling. During replacement, a proximal portion of the reload assemblyis inserted into a distal portion of the adapter assembly and rotated tolock the reload assembly to the body, and to couple the drive andarticulation components of the adapter assembly to the drive andarticulation components of the reload assembly. To ensure that the driveand articulation components of the adapter assembly and the reloadassembly are properly coupled during attachment of the reload assemblyto the adapter assembly, it is important that the drive component of theadapter assembly is in a fully retracted position and that thearticulation component of the adapter assembly is in a non-articulatedposition.

SUMMARY

This disclosure generally relates to stapling devices with replaceablereload assemblies that include a reload release mechanism that ismovable from a locked position in which the reload assembly is lockedonto an adapter assembly to an unlocked position in which the reloadassembly can be removed from the adapter assembly. The adapter assemblyincludes a lockout that prevents movement of the reload releasemechanism from the locked position to the unlocked position unless thestapling device is in a non-articulated, unfired position.

One aspect of the disclosure is directed to an adapter assembly thatincludes a firing rod, an articulation assembly, a release mechanism,and a lockout. The firing rod includes a proximal portion and a distalportion and is movable between retracted and advanced positions. Thearticulation assembly includes an articulation lever, a coupling member,and an articulation link. The coupling member is positioned between thearticulation lever and the articulation link. The articulation lever isrotatable to move the coupling member longitudinally between a neutralposition and non-neutral positions to move the articulation link betweenadvanced and retracted positions. The release mechanism is movable froma locked position to an unlocked position. The lockout is movable froman unlocked position to a locked position in response to movement of thecoupling member from the neutral position to one of the non-neutralpositions and/or in response to movement of the firing rod from theretracted position towards the advanced position. The lockout isconfigured to prevent movement of the release mechanism from its lockedposition to its unlocked position when the lockout is in its lockedposition.

In aspects of the disclosure, the lockout includes a body having a firstprotrusion and a second protrusion, the coupling member of thearticulation assembly defines a first notch, and the firing rod definesa second notch.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the first protrusion is positionedwithin the first notch when the coupling member is in the neutralposition, and the second protrusion is positioned within the secondnotch when the firing rod is in its retracted position.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the body of the lockout includes astop member, and the release mechanism includes a release button thatdefines a cavity.

In aspects of the disclosure, the stop member of the body of the lockoutis received within the cavity when the lockout is in its lockedposition.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the lockout includes a biasing memberthat urges the lockout towards its unlocked position.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the biasing member includes a leafspring.

In aspects of the disclosure, the body of the lockout is supported incantilevered fashion from the leaf spring.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the body includes a cylindrical pivotmember, and the lockout is pivotable on the cylindrical pivot memberbetween its locked and unlocked positions.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the release mechanism includes arelease member that is coupled to the release button.

Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to an adapter assembly thatincludes an articulation assembly, a release mechanism, and a lockout.The articulation assembly includes an articulation lever, a couplingmember, and an articulation link. The coupling member is positionedbetween the articulation lever and the articulation link. Thearticulation lever is rotatable to move the coupling memberlongitudinally between a neutral position and non-neutral positions tomove the articulation link between advanced and retracted positions. Therelease mechanism is movable from a locked position to an unlockedposition. The lockout is movable from an unlocked position to a lockedposition in response to movement of the coupling member from the neutralposition to one of the non-neutral positions. The lockout is configuredto prevent movement of the release mechanism from its locked position toits unlocked position when the lockout is in its locked position.

Other aspects of the disclosure are directed to a surgical staplingdevice that includes a reload assembly and an adapter assembly. Thereload assembly includes a proximal body and a tool assembly. Theproximal body defines a first longitudinal axis. The tool assembly ispivotably coupled to the proximal body by a pivot member that defines anarticulation axis that is transverse to the first longitudinal axis. Thetool assembly includes a cartridge assembly and an anvil. The proximalbody includes a drive assembly and a first articulation link that has aproximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion of the firstarticulation link is coupled to the tool assembly such that movement ofthe first articulation link causes articulation of the tool assemblyabout the articulation axis between a non-articulated position andarticulated positions. The drive assembly is movable between retractedand advanced positions to actuate the tool assembly. The adapterassembly defines a second longitudinal axis and has a distal portionthat is releasably coupled to the reload assembly. The adapter assemblyincludes a firing rod, an articulation assembly, a release mechanism,and a lockout. The firing rod has a proximal portion and a distalportion. The distal portion of the firing rod is adapted to be coupledto the drive assembly of the reload assembly when the reload assembly iscoupled to the adapter assembly. The firing rod is movable betweenretracted and advanced positions to move the drive assembly of thereload assembly between its retracted and advanced positions to actuatethe tool assembly. The articulation assembly includes an articulationlever, a coupling member, and a second articulation link. The couplingmember is positioned between the articulation lever and the firstarticulation link. The articulation lever is rotatable to move thecoupling member longitudinally between a neutral position andnon-neutral positions to move the first articulation link betweenadvanced and retracted positions. The second articulation link isadapted to be coupled to the first articulation link when the reloadassembly is coupled to the adapter assembly such that longitudinalmovement of the second articulation link causes longitudinal movement ofthe first articulation link to articulate the tool assembly about thearticulation axis. The release mechanism is movable from a lockedposition to an unlocked position. In the locked position, the releasemechanism prevents the reload assembly from being uncoupled from theadapter assembly. The lockout is movable from an unlocked position to alocked position in response to movement of the coupling member from theneutral position to one of the non-neutral positions and/or in responseto movement of the firing rod from its retracted position towards itsadvanced position. The lockout is configured to prevent movement of therelease mechanism from its locked position to its unlocked position whenthe lockout is in its locked position.

In aspects of the disclosure, a handle assembly is coupled to theadapter assembly.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the surgical stapling device includesa rotation knob that is rotatably coupled to the handle assembly andsecured to the proximal portion of the adapter assembly such thatrotation of the rotation knob in relation to the handle assembly rotatesthe adapter assembly and the tool assembly about the second longitudinalaxis.

Other features of the disclosure will be appreciated from the followingdescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the disclosure are described herein below withreference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a surgical stapling deviceaccording to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the surgical stapling device ofFIG. 1 with a reload assembly separated from an adapter assembly of thestapling device;

FIG. 3 is a enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the adapter assembly of thestapling device shown in FIG. 1 with an outer tube and rotation knob ofthe adapter assembly shown in phantom showing a reload release assembly;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of an interface between the reloadassembly and the adapter assembly with the reload release assembly in alocked position;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the interface between the reloadassembly and the adapter assembly shown in FIG. 5 with the reloadrelease assembly in an unlocked position;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the interface between the reloadassembly and the adapter assembly shown in FIG. 6 with the reloadrelease assembly rotated to a release position;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the interface between the reloadassembly and the adapter assembly shown in FIG. 6 with the reloadrelease assembly separated from the adapter assembly;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the lockout, a reload releasemechanism, an articulation assembly, and drive member of the centralportion of the surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a first side of a central portionof the surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 1 with a rotation knobshown in phantom, an articulation yoke in a neutral position, and alockout in an unlocked position;

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the lockout shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the articulation yoke shown inFIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view from the first side of the centralportion of the surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 10 with a reloadrelease button and an articulation yoke removed, a firing rod in aretracted position, and the lockout in the unlocked position;

FIG. 14 is a side perspective view from a second side of the centralportion of the surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 10 with a rotationknob shown in phantom and the lockout assembly in the unlocked position;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 15-15 of FIG.14 with the lockout in the locked position;

FIG. 16 is a side perspective view of the first side of the centralportion of the surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 1 with a rotationknob shown in phantom, the articulation yoke in a non-neutral position,and the lockout in a locked position;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 17-17 of FIG.16;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 18-18 of FIG.17;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 19-19 of FIG.10; and

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken through the central portion ofthe surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 10 with the firing rod in apartially advanced position and the lockout in a locked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed surgical device will now be described in detail withreference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding elements in each of the several views.However, it is to be understood that the aspects of the disclosure aremerely exemplary of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms.Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail toavoid obscuring the disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and asa representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

In this description, the term “proximal” is used generally to refer tothat portion of the device that is closer to a clinician during use ofthe device in its customary fashion, while the term “distal” is usedgenerally to refer to that portion of the device that is farther fromthe clinician during use of the device in its customary fashion. Inaddition, the term “clinician” is used generally to refer to medicalpersonnel including doctors, nurses, and support personnel.

This disclosure is directed to a surgical stapling device that includesan adapter assembly having a lockout that prevents operation of a reloadrelease mechanism of the adapter assembly when a firing rod of theadapter assembly is not in a fully retracted position and/or when anarticulation mechanism of the adapter assembly is not in a neutralposition.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate exemplary aspects of the disclosed surgicalstapling device shown generally as stapling device 10. The staplingdevice 10 includes a powered handle assembly 12, an adapter assembly 14,and a reload assembly 16. The adapter assembly 14 defines a longitudinalaxis “X” and includes a proximal portion 14 a supported on the handleassembly 12 and a distal portion 14 b that supports the reload assembly16. The reload assembly 16 includes a proximal body 18 and a toolassembly 20. The tool assembly is pivotably coupled to a distal portionof the proximal body 18 by a pivot member 22 to facilitate articulationof the tool assembly 20 in relation to the proximal body 18 about anarticulation axis “Z” that is transverse to the longitudinal axis “X” ofthe adapter assembly 14. The proximal body 18 of the reload assembly 16has a proximal portion that is adapted to be releasably coupled to thedistal portion 14 b of the adapter assembly 14 of the stapling device10.

In aspects of the disclosure, the tool assembly 20 includes an anvil 24and a cartridge assembly 26. The cartridge assembly 26 includes a staplecartridge 28 that supports a plurality of staples (not shown). For adescription of exemplary aspects of a tool assembly suitable for usewith the stapling device 10, see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,139 (“the'139 patent”). It is envisioned that aspects of this disclosure aresuitable for use with other types of surgical devices having replaceablereload assemblies including clip appliers, ligation devices, or thelike.

The handle assembly 12 of the stapling device 10 includes a stationaryhandle 30 and actuation buttons 32 that can be depressed to actuate thetool assembly 20, e.g., approximate the tool assembly 20, and firestaples from the staple cartridge 28. In aspects of the disclosure,batteries (not shown) are supported in the stationary handle 20 to powerthe handle assembly 12.

The adapter assembly 14 includes an outer tube 40 that supports arotation knob 42. The rotation knob 42 is rotatably coupled to thehandle assembly 12 and fixedly coupled to the proximal portion 14 b ofthe adapter assembly 14 such that rotation of the rotation knob 42 inrelation to the handle assembly 12 causes corresponding rotation of theadapter assembly 14 and the reload assembly 16 about the longitudinalaxis “X”. The rotation knob 42 supports an articulation assembly thatincludes an articulation lever 44 which is described in further detailbelow.

FIGS. 2-9 illustrate the connection between the proximal body 18 of thereload assembly 16 and the distal portion 14 b of the adapter assembly14. The proximal body 18 of the reload assembly 16 includes a connector50 that includes a cylindrical body 52 and two diametrically opposednubs 54 that project outwardly from the body 52. The proximal body 18 ofthe reload assembly 16 also includes an articulation link 56 (FIG. 3)and a drive assembly 58 (shown in phantom in FIG. 2). The articulationlink 56 includes a proximal portion that includes a finger 56 a that isconfigured to be coupled to the articulation assembly in the adapterassembly 14, as described in further detail below, when the reloadassembly 16 is coupled to the adapter assembly 14. The articulation link56 also includes a distal portion 56 b (FIG. 2) that is coupled to thetool assembly 20 at a location offset from the articulation axis “Z”(FIG. 1) such that longitudinal movement of the articulation link 56causes the tool assembly 20 to articulate about the articulation axis“Z”.

The drive assembly 58 includes a proximal portion 58 a that is adaptedto be coupled to a firing rod 72 (FIG. 8) of the adapter assembly 14when the reload assembly 16 is coupled to the adapter assembly 14. Adistal portion of the drive assembly 58 includes a working end 58 b thatis engaged with the anvil 24 and the cartridge assembly 26 and ismovable along the length of the tool assembly 20 to eject staples (notshown) from the staple cartridge 28. In aspects of the disclosure, theworking end 58 b of the drive assembly 58 has an I-beam configurationand supports a cutting blade (not shown). U.S. Pat. No. 8,286,848discloses a surgical device with a reload assembly that is releasablycoupled to an adapter assembly and includes the features describedherein that is suitable for use in the stapling device 10.

The adapter assembly 14 includes a reload release mechanism 70 (FIG. 9),a firing rod 72, and an articulation mechanism 74 (FIG. 9). The releasemechanism 70 includes a release member 76 and a release button 78. Therelease button 78 is coupled to a proximal portion of the release member76 and is supported on the rotation knob 42 for movement betweenadvanced and retracted positions to move the release member 76 betweenlocked and unlocked positions. In aspects of the disclosure, the releasebutton 78 includes a finger 80 (FIG. 9) that is received within a blindbore 82 (FIG. 9) formed in the proximal portion of the release member76. Alternately, other coupling techniques or devices can be used tocouple the release button 78 to the release member 76. The releasebutton 78 includes an inner surface that forms a cavity 81 that isdefined in part by a stop surface 81 a.

The release member 76 includes a distal portion 84 (FIG. 6) that definescutouts 86 (FIG. 4) that receive the nubs 54 of the reload assembly 16when the release member 76 is in the locked position (FIG. 5). Thecutouts 86 are defined in part by side walls 90 (FIG. 6) that engage thenubs 54 of the reload assembly 16 when the release member 76 is in thelocked position (FIG. 5) to prevent rotation of the reload assembly 16in relation to the adapter assembly 14. A biasing member 91 ispositioned within the outer tube 40 of the adapter assembly 14 to urgethe release member 76 distally to the locked position.

The distal portion 14 b of the adapter assembly 14 includes a connector92 (FIG. 8) that defines a cylindrical bore 94. The connector 92includes inner walls that define L-shaped channels 96 (FIG. 8) (only oneis shown) that receive the nubs 54 on the connector 50 of the reloadassembly 16 when the reload assembly 16 is inserted into the cylindricalbore 96. The L-shaped channels 96 are axially aligned with a distal end98 of the release member 76. When the connector 50 of the reloadassembly 16 is inserted into the connector 92 of the adapter assembly 14and the nubs 54 are slid into the L-shaped channels 96 (FIG. 8),engagement between the nubs 54 and the distal end 98 of the releasemember 76 moves the release member 76 from its locked position towardsits unlocked position compressing the biasing member 91. After the nubs54 of the connector 50 of the reload assembly 16 are moved to a positionaligned with a transverse portion (not shown) of the L-shaped channels96, the reload assembly 16 is rotated in relation to the adapterassembly 14 to move the nubs 54 into the transverse portion of theL-shaped channels 96. When the nubs 54 of the connector 50 are rotatedpast the distal end 98 of the release member 76 to a position alignedwith the cutouts 86 in the release member 76, the biasing member 91urges the release member 76 back the locked position (FIG. 5). In thelocked position of the release member 76, the side walls 90 of therelease member 76 engage the nubs 54 of the reload assembly 16 toprevent the reload assembly 16 from being rotated in relation to theadapter assembly 14 and, thus, lock the reload assembly 16 onto theadapter assembly 14.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate operation of the reload release mechanism 70. Whenthe release button 78 is slid proximally in the direction of arrow “A”in FIG. 2, the release member 76 moves proximally in the direction ofarrow “B” in FIG. 6 from the locked position (FIG. 5) to the unlockedposition (FIG. 6). In the unlocked position, the side walls 90 definingthe cutouts 86 in the distal portion 84 of the release member 76 arepositioned proximally of the nubs 54 of the reload assembly 16 such thatthe reload assembly 16 can be rotated in relation to the adapterassembly 14 to disengage the reload assembly 16 from the adapterassembly 14 (FIG. 8).

The articulation assembly 74 includes a coupling member 100 and anarticulation link 102. The coupling member 74 is coupled to thearticulation lever 44 (FIG. 1) of the articulation assembly by amechanism (not shown) for translating pivotable movement of thearticulation lever 44 into longitudinal movement of the coupling member100. The coupling member 100 is secured to the articulation link 102such that longitudinal movement of the coupling member 100 between aneutral position and non-neutral positions causes longitudinal movementof the articulation link 102 between advanced and retracted positions.In aspects of the disclosure, the coupling member 100 includes a finger104 (FIG. 9) and the articulation link 102 has a proximal portion thatdefines an opening 106 that receives the finger 104 to secure thecoupling member 100 to the articulation link 102. In aspects of thedisclosure, the coupling member 100 has a U-shaped body 100 a having aside wall 109 that defines a first notch 109 a (FIG. 12).

The articulation link 102 includes a distal portion 102 a that isadapted to be coupled to the articulation link 56 (FIG. 9) of the reloadassembly 16. In aspects of the disclosure, the distal portion 102 a ofthe articulation link 102 of the adapter assembly 14 defines a slot 108that receives the proximal portion 56 a of the articulation link 56 ofthe reload assembly 16 (FIG. 3). When the reload assembly 16 isrotatably coupled to the adapter assembly 14, the proximal portion 56 aof the articulation link 56 is received within the slot 108 in thearticulation link 102 to couple the articulation link 102 of the adapterassembly 14 to the articulation link 56 (FIG. 3) of the reload assembly16. When the reload assembly 16 is coupled to the adapter assembly 14,longitudinal movement of the articulation link 102 causes longitudinalmovement of the articulation link 56 of the reload assembly 16 toarticulate the tool assembly 20 in relation to the proximal body 18 ofthe reload assembly 16 about the articulation axis “Z”.

The firing rod 72 of the adapter assembly 14 includes a proximal portion72 a that is coupled to the handle assembly 12 such that actuation ofthe handle assembly 12 causes longitudinal movement of the firing rod72. The firing rod 72 also includes a distal portion 72 b (FIG. 8) thatis coupled to the drive assembly 58 of the reload assembly 16 when thereload assembly 16 is coupled to the adapter assembly 14 of the staplingdevice 10 such that longitudinal movement of the firing rod 72 withinthe outer tube 40 of the adapter assembly 14 causes longitudinalmovement of the drive assembly 58 (FIG. 2) within the reload assembly16. The firing rod 72 defines a second notch 110.

FIGS. 9-12 illustrate the lockout 120 which prevents movement of therelease button 78 from its advanced position towards its retractedposition unless the coupling member 100 of the articulation assembly ofthe adapter assembly 14 (FIG. 1) is in its neutral position and thefiring rod of the adapter assembly 14 is in the retracted position. Thelockout 120 includes a body 122 and a biasing member 124 that is coupledto the body 122. In aspects of the disclosure, the biasing member 124 isin the form of a leaf spring 124 a that is secured to or integrallyformed with the body 122 of the lockout 120. The body 122 of the lockout120 includes a first protrusion 126 that is received within the firstnotch 109 (FIG. 12) of the coupling member 100 of the articulationassembly when the coupling member 100 is in its neutral position and asecond protrusion 128 that is received within the second notch 110 (FIG.9) of the firing rod 72 when the firing rod 72 is in the retractedposition. The body 122 also includes a stop member 129 (FIG. 11) that ispositioned on a bottom wall 132 of the body 122 and has a proximallyfacing stop surface 129 a. The stop member 129 is positioned above thecavity 81 (FIG. 9) in the release button 78. In aspects of thedisclosure, the body 122 of the lockout 120 includes an L-shaped wall130 that extends upwardly (as viewed in FIG. 9) from the bottom wall 132and has a longitudinal portion 130 a and a transverse portion 130 b. Thefirst protrusion 126 is supported on top of the longitudinal portion 130a of the L-shaped wall 130 and the second protrusion 128 is positionedon top of the transverse portion 130 b of the L-shaped wall 130.

The biasing member 124 of the lockout 120 is secured to an inner wall136 of the rotation knob 42. In aspects of the disclosure, the biasingmember 124 is secured within a slot 138 in the inner wall 136 (FIG. 17)of the rotation knob 42 such that the body 122 of the lockout 120 issupported in cantilevered fashion within the rotation knob 42. Incertain aspects of the disclosure, the body 122 of the lockout 120includes a cylindrical pivot member 140 that is positioned between thebiasing member 124 and the L-shaped wall 130 and is supported within acircular channel 142 (FIG. 17) of a support member 144. In aspects ofthe disclosure, the support member 144 is integrally formed with therotation knob 42.

FIG. 13 illustrates the lockout 120 and the firing rod 72 of the adapterassembly 14 when the firing rod 72 is in its retracted position. Whenthe firing rod 72 is in a retracted position, the second protrusion 128of the lockout 120 is received within the second notch 110 of the firingrod 72 and the biasing member 124 of the lockout 120 is in anon-deformed position. In the non-deformed position, the stop member 129is positioned above the cavity 81 (FIG. 14) of the release button 78such that the stop surface 129 a of the stop member 129 is not alignedwith the stop surface 81 a of the release button 78. In the non-deformedposition, the release button 78 is movable from its advanced position toits retracted position to unlock the reload assembly 16 from the adapterassembly 14 and permit removal of the reload assembly 16 from theadapter assembly 14.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate the lockout 120 and the coupling member 100of the articulation assembly of the adapter assembly 14 with thecoupling member 100 in the neutral position, i.e., the position in whicha longitudinal axis of the tool assembly 20 is substantially coaxialwith the longitudinal axis “X” of the adapter assembly 14. When thecoupling member 100 is in the neutral position, the first protrusion 126of the lockout 120 is received within the first notch 109 a in the sidewall 109 of the coupling member 100 and the biasing member 124 (FIG. 15)of the lockout 120 is in a non-deformed position. In the non-deformedposition, the stop member 129 (FIG. 15) is positioned above the cavity81 of the release button 78 such that the stop surface 129 a of the stopmember 129 is not aligned with the stop surface 81 a of the releasebutton 78. In the non-deformed position, the release button 78 ismovable from its advanced position to its retracted position to unlockthe reload assembly 16 and permit removal of the reload assembly 16 fromthe adapter assembly 14.

FIGS. 16-18 illustrate the lockout 120 as the coupling member 100 of thearticulation assembly of the adapter assembly 14 moves to a non-neutralposition. In the non-neutral position, the coupling member 100 has beenmoved longitudinally from the neutral position to move the articulationlinks 102 and 56 of the adapter assembly 14 and the reload assembly 20,respectively, longitudinally to pivot the tool assembly 20 about thearticulation axis “Z”. When the articulation lever 44 is rotated toadvance (or retract) the coupling member 100 of the articulationassembly of the adapter assembly 14 in the direction indicated by arrow“A” in FIG. 16 from the neutral position to a non-neutral position, thefirst protrusion 126 on the body 122 of the lockout 120 moves fromwithin the first notch 109 a in the side wall 109 of the lockout 120 andengages the side wall 109 of the coupling member 100. Engagement of thefirst protrusion 126 and the side wall 109 of the coupling member 100causes biasing member 124 to deform and the body 122 of the lockout 120to pivot downwardly about the pivot member 140 in the direction ofarrows “B” in FIGS. 16 and 17. When the body 122 of the lockout 120moves downwardly in the direction of arrows “B”, the stop member 129 onthe lockout 120 moves into the cavity 81 in the release button 78 of thereload release mechanism 70. In this position, the stop surface 129 a ofthe lockout 120 is aligned with the stop surface 81 a on the releasebutton 78 to prevent movement of the release button 78 from its advancedposition towards its retracted position and prevent movement of therelease member 76 from its locked position to its unlocked position.Thus, when the articulation mechanism of the adapter assembly 14 is innon-neutral position such that the tool assembly 20 is in an articulatedposition, the reload assembly 16 (FIG. 1) cannot be removed from theadapter assembly 14.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate the lockout 120 and the firing rod 72 of theadapter assembly 14 when the firing rod 72 is moved in the direction ofarrows “D” in FIG. 20 to a partially advanced position. When the firingrod 72 is in a partially advanced position, the second protrusion 128 ofthe lockout 120 is moved from the second notch 110 of the firing rod 72and engages an outer surface of the firing rod 72. Engagement of thesecond protrusion 128 with the outer surface of the firing rod 72 causesbiasing member 124 of the lockout 120 to deform such that the body 122of the lockout 120 pivots downwardly about the pivot member 140 in thedirection of arrows “E” in FIG. 20. When the body 122 of the lockout 120moves downwardly in the direction of arrows “E”, the stop member 129 onthe lockout 120 moves into the cavity 81 in the release button 78 of thereload release mechanism 70. In this position, the stop surface 129 a ofthe lockout 120 is aligned with the stop surface 81 a on the releasebutton 78 to prevent movement of the release button 78 from its advancedposition towards its retracted position which prevents movement of therelease member 76 from its locked position to its unlocked position.Thus, when the firing rod 72 of the adapter assembly 14 is in anadvanced or partially advanced position, the reload assembly 16 (FIG. 1)cannot be removed from the adapter assembly 14.

The lockout 120 functions to prevent separation of the reload assembly16 from the adapter assembly 14 of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) whenthe tool assembly 20 is in an articulated position and/or the firing rod72 of the adapter assembly 14 is in an advanced or partially advancedposition. If the tool assembly 20 is in an articulated position and/orthe firing rod 72 is in a partially advanced or advanced position, thelockout 120 prevents operation of the reload release mechanism 70 toprevent separation of the reload assembly 16 from the adapter assembly14 of the stapling device 10. Although the lockout is described inassociation with a firing rod and a coupling member of an articulationassembly, it is envisioned that the lockout 120 can be used inassociation with only a firing rod 72 or only a coupling member 100 ofan articulation mechanism to lock or unlock the reload release mechanism70.

Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methodsspecifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings are non-limiting exemplary aspects of the disclosure. It isenvisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described inconnection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with theelements and features of another without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. As well, one skilled in the art will appreciatefurther features and advantages of the disclosure based on theabove-described aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosureis not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described,except as indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adapter assembly comprising: a firing rodincluding a proximal portion and a distal portion, the firing rodmovable between retracted and advanced positions; an articulationassembly including an articulation lever, a coupling member, and anarticulation link, the coupling member positioned between thearticulation lever and the articulation link, the articulation leverrotatable to move the coupling member longitudinally between a neutralposition and non-neutral positions to move the articulation link betweenadvanced and retracted positions; a release mechanism movable from alocked position to an unlocked position; and a lockout movable from anunlocked position to a locked position in response to movement of thecoupling member from the neutral position to one of the non-neutralpositions and/or in response to movement of the firing rod from theretracted position towards the advanced position, the lockout configuredto prevent movement of the release mechanism from its locked position toits unlocked position when the lockout is in its locked position.
 2. Theadapter assembly of claim 1, wherein lockout includes a body having afirst protrusion and a second protrusion, the coupling member of thearticulation assembly defines a first notch, and the firing rod definesa second notch, the first protrusion positioned within the first notchwhen the coupling member is in the neutral position, and the secondprotrusion positioned within the second notch when the firing rod is inthe retracted position.
 3. The adapter assembly of claim 2, wherein thebody of the lockout includes a stop member, and the release mechanismincludes a release button that defines a cavity, the stop member of thebody of the lockout received within the cavity when the lockout is inits locked position.
 4. The adapter assembly of claim 3, wherein thelockout includes a biasing member that urges the lockout towards itsunlocked position.
 5. The adapter assembly of claim 4, wherein thebiasing member includes a leaf spring.
 6. The adapter assembly of claim5, wherein the body of the lockout is supported in cantilevered fashionfrom the leaf spring.
 7. The adapter assembly of claim 6, wherein thebody includes a cylindrical pivot member, the lockout pivotable on thecylindrical pivot member between the locked and unlocked positions. 8.The adapter assembly of claim 3, wherein the release mechanism includesa release member that is coupled to the release button.
 9. A surgicalstapling device comprising: a reload assembly including a proximal bodyand a tool assembly, the proximal body defining a first longitudinalaxis, the tool assembly pivotably coupled to the proximal body by apivot member, the pivot member defining an articulation axis that istransverse to the first longitudinal axis, the tool assembly including acartridge assembly and an anvil, the proximal body including a driveassembly and a first articulation link, the first articulation linkhaving a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion ofthe first articulation link coupled to the tool assembly such thatmovement of the first articulation link causes articulation of the toolassembly about the articulation axis between a non-articulated positionand articulated positions, the drive assembly movable between retractedand advanced positions to actuate the tool assembly; and an adapterassembly defining a second longitudinal axis and having a distal portionreleasably coupled to the reload assembly, the adapter assemblyincluding: a firing rod having a proximal portion and a distal portion,the distal portion of the firing rod adapted to be coupled to the driveassembly of the reload assembly when the reload assembly is coupled tothe adapter assembly, the firing rod movable between retracted andadvanced positions to move the drive assembly of the reload assemblybetween its retracted and advanced positions to actuate the toolassembly; an articulation assembly including an articulation lever, acoupling member, and a second articulation link, the coupling memberpositioned between the articulation lever and the first articulationlink, the articulation lever rotatable to move the coupling memberlongitudinally between a neutral position and non-neutral positions tomove the first articulation link between advanced and retractedpositions, the second articulation link being adapted to be coupled tothe first articulation link when the reload assembly is coupled to theadapter assembly such that longitudinal movement of the secondarticulation link causes longitudinal movement of the first articulationlink to articulate the tool assembly about the articulation axis; arelease mechanism movable from a locked position to an unlockedposition, wherein in the locked position, the release mechanism preventsthe reload assembly from being uncoupled from the adapter assembly; anda lockout movable from an unlocked position to a locked position inresponse to movement of the coupling member from the neutral position toone of the non-neutral positions and/or in response to movement of thefiring rod from its retracted position towards its advanced position,the lockout configured to prevent movement of the release mechanism fromits locked position to its unlocked position when the lockout is in itslocked position.
 10. The surgical stapling device of claim 9, whereinlockout of the adapter assembly includes a body having a firstprotrusion and a second protrusion, the coupling member of thearticulation assembly defines a first notch, and the firing rod definesa second notch, the first protrusion positioned within the first notchwhen the coupling member is in the neutral position, and the secondprotrusion positioned within the second notch when the firing rod is inthe retracted position.
 11. The surgical stapling device of claim 10,wherein the body of the lockout of the adapter assembly includes a stopmember, and the release mechanism of the adapter assembly includes arelease button that defines a cavity, the stop member of the body of thelockout received within the cavity when the lockout is in its lockedposition.
 12. The surgical stapling device of claim 11, wherein thelockout includes a biasing member that urges the lockout towards itsunlocked position.
 13. The surgical stapling device of claim 12, whereinthe biasing member includes a leaf spring.
 14. The surgical staplingdevice of claim 13, wherein the body of the lockout is supported incantilevered fashion from the leaf spring.
 15. The surgical staplingdevice of claim 14, wherein the body of the lockout includes acylindrical pivot member, the lockout pivotable with the cylindricalpivot member between the locked and unlocked positions.
 16. The surgicalstapling device of claim 11, wherein the release mechanism includes arelease member that is coupled to the release button.
 17. The surgicalstapling device of claim 9, further including a handle assembly coupledto the adapter assembly.
 18. The surgical stapling device of claim 17,further including a rotation knob, the rotation knob rotatably coupledto the handle assembly and secured to the proximal portion of theadapter assembly, wherein rotation of the rotation knob in relation tothe handle assembly rotates the adapter assembly and the tool assemblyabout the second longitudinal axis.
 19. An adapter assembly comprising:an articulation assembly including an articulation lever, a couplingmember, and an articulation link, the coupling member positioned betweenthe articulation lever and the articulation link, the articulation leverrotatable to move the coupling member longitudinally between a neutralposition and non-neutral positions to move the articulation link betweenadvanced and retracted positions; a release mechanism movable from alocked position to an unlocked position; and a lockout movable from anunlocked position to a locked position in response to movement of thecoupling member from the neutral position to one of the non-neutralpositions, the lockout configured to prevent movement of the releasemechanism from its locked position to its unlocked position when thelockout is in its locked position.
 20. The adapter assembly of claim 19,wherein lockout includes a body having a protrusion, the coupling memberof the articulation assembly defines a notch, the protrusion positionedwithin the notch when the coupling member is in the neutral position.